Introduction [Isagoge]

The Introduction was written by Porphyry towards the end of the second century AD. For more than a thousand years, the Introduction was every student’s first text in philosophy. St Jerome learned his logic from it. Boethius observed that “everyone after Porphyry’s time who has tackled logic has started with this book”.  It maintained its standing throughout the Middle Ages, both in the Greek East and in the Latin West; it helped shape the development of Arabic logic and philosophy; and it trailed a cloud of secondary literature, much of it in the shape of commentaries. Other philosophical introductions may have sold more copies: none, thus far, have had a longer “career” nor a greater sustained impact on so many cultures, spread over so many historical periods.
Jonathan Barnes presents a new, complete translation in English. It is accompanied by a substantial  introduction and commentary.